Removal of parking meters in Fairy St between Koroit St & Merri St

The Warrnambool Council have recently updated their parking meters and revised their parking protocols in order to provide “a simpler, more consistent paid parking arrangement across the city centre” (Warrnambool City Council website).

As a result of these changes, paid parking came into force along Fairy St between Koroit St and Merri St on December 4, 2017. Prior to this, there was no cost to park along this section of Fairy St.

Nowhere in the council’s 2017 announcement regarding updates to parking was it stated that areas that were previously free to park, would now incur a fee. Furthermore, businesses were not consulted or informed prior to the meters being installed.

While we appreciate the need for paid parking around shopping areas and services to ensure traffic flow and easy access for customers, the section in question is not a shopping precinct. The people who access the carparks along Fairy St are predominantly those who wish to access their places of employment. This is evidenced by the lack of patronage of this area outside of business hours.

Over the last month, workers in the Fairy St area have sought free parking elsewhere which has meant significant underutilization of the carparks along Fairy St, and parking stress on residential streets such as Henna St.

We ask that you address the need for parking meters on Fairy St, south of Koroit St.